Altmire takes dim viewof Petraeus' strategy

Tuesday

Sep 11, 2007 at 12:01 AM

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire took a dim view of testimony on the Iraq war Monday, saying Gen. David Petraeus outlined no strategy for a total United States troop withdrawal.

The general told Congress that he envisions the withdrawal of 30,000 troops by next year, but that would still leave approximately 130,000 troops in the country, the same number as before the so-called surge last year.

"What we need to keep in mind is when that is complete, we're still going to be at the same level of troops one year from now as we were one year ago," said Altmire, who has proposed setting a stringent deadline for a total withdrawal as a means of forcing Iraqi officials to settle differences and begin governing their country.

Altmire, who returned from a visit to Iraq nearly two weeks ago, said he heard much of what Petraeus said Monday during his visit to Iraq while meeting with the general and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who also testified before Congress.

Altmire said upon his return that Iraqi officials have not resolved issues dividing the country, because they are confident that the United States would not pull out.

Iraq has not only failed to make progress, Altmire said in August, but in many cases has gone backward.

He said Monday that he still believes that to be the case.

"Our American military is fighting and dying while the Iraq government bickers," he said. "We can't continue to hold their hand with our military presence while they refuse to take even the first steps toward political accommodations."

Altmire was also disappointed that the withdrawal proposed by Petraeus would not be complete until 2008. He said he thinks it can happen sooner.

Altmire said Crocker painted a much more positive picture about the political situation in Iraq than what the ambassador told him two weeks ago. Crocker's view also conflicted with what independent investigations have reported, he said.

The bottom line, Altmire said, is that Iraq is neither ready nor willing to take over the country.

"In my view, that is unacceptable," he said.

Bob Bauder can be reached online at bbauder@timesonline.com.

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